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Quartet to be Inducted Into NYU Athletics Hall of Fame on May 10

05/06/08

Four former student-athletes will be inducted into the New York University Athletics Hall of Fame: Elliott Denman (Track & Field, ’56), Joe Fink (Soccer, ’73), Paul Palestis (Fencing, ’98), and Boris Vaysburd (Volleyball, ’95).

The quartet will be honored at the 2008 NYU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction and Varsity Athlete Reunion on Saturday, May 10, at the Kimmel Center’s Rosenthal Pavilion. The ceremony will begin at 2 pm.

During the event, NYU will also honor members of the 2007 men's cross country team that captured the NCAA Division III National Championship last November.

Tickets for the event are $30, which includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails following the induction ceremony. For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact Violet Booster Club Coordinator Sam Albert at (212) 998-2029 or athletics.events@nyu.edu.

Elliott Denman was a standout in the race walk during his time at NYU, serving as captain of the indoor track team during his senior year at NYU. He was a member of the 1956 U.S. Olympic team, placing 11th in the 50km race walk at the Melbourne Games. He also went on to capture the 1959 Amateur Athletic Union national championship in the 3K and 50K race walk events. Following graduation, Denman embarked on a successful career in journalism, covering sports for 35 years with the Asbury Park Press. He is a two-time recipient of the Jesse Abramson Award, given to the nation’s leading track & field writer. Denman has also officiated a number of national and international athletics events.

Joe Fink was a prolific goal scorer who led the Violets in that category during 1970 and 1971. He scored 18 goals in 1971, more than half the squad’s total for the 12-game season, and went on to earn All-America and All-New York State honors. Fink was drafted by the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in 1973, and began a 13-year career in professional soccer. He was also a member of the United States national team from 1973-1975.

Paul Palestis was a fencing standout for NYU who will be best remembered for capturing the 1995 NCAA Championship in the sabre. He finished his career as a four-time All-American, two-time University Athletic Association (UAA) Champion, and was named NCAA Sportsman of the Year in 1995 and 1997. Palestis also led the Violets to UAA Team Championships in each of his four years at Washington Square.

Boris Vaysburd was one of the pioneers of men’s volleyball at NYU, leading the team to four consecutive postseason berths, including an appearance in the 1992 NCAA Tournament. He became the first NYU player ever selected to the Division III All-America team, was a two-time team MVP and ranks in the NYU all-time top five in 11 statistical categories.

With the induction of the Class of 2008, the NYU Athletics Hall of Fame will include 180 members.

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